as in monarchs
one who rules over a people with a sole, supreme, and usually hereditary authority
the aging ruler agonized over the choice of an heir
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Recent Examples of rulers
Since independence in 1947, Pakistan has been led by four different military rulers and seen three coups.
—
Sophia Saifi, CNN Money, 18 Oct. 2025
That run equals Drake’s longest streak of rulers on Rhythmic Airplay.
—Kevin Rutherford, Billboard, 6 Oct. 2025
Successive Iranian rulers believed that dams, deep wells, and inter-basin transfers could outsmart geography and climate.
—Nik Kowsar, Time, 2 Oct. 2025
Regardless, its existence was a political statement and a sign of wealth, as large rectangular stone towers were generally limited to rival Anglo-Norman lords and rulers.
—Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 30 Sep. 2025
The series centers on the escalating conflict between two powerful medieval rulers whose personal and political ambitions collide in a struggle that would determine England’s future.
—Jenzia Burgos, StyleCaster, 28 Sep. 2025
Malta’s food, drink, art, and architecture have been influenced by centuries of foreign rulers, among them Phoenicians, Romans, Greeks, Arabs, Normans, Sicilians, French, and British.
—Chloe Arrojado, AFAR Media, 26 Sep. 2025
These vast resources of corvée labor and raw materials also enabled powerful rulers to secure their place in the afterlife.
—Vanessa Taylor, Big Think, 25 Sep. 2025
For centuries, rulers sought to stamp out cultural difference, Franco banning Basque from being spoken, sung, or taught.
—Callum McLennan, Variety, 22 Sep. 2025
Sophia Saifi, CNN Money, 18 Oct. 2025
That run equals Drake’s longest streak of rulers on Rhythmic Airplay.
—Kevin Rutherford, Billboard, 6 Oct. 2025
Successive Iranian rulers believed that dams, deep wells, and inter-basin transfers could outsmart geography and climate.
—Nik Kowsar, Time, 2 Oct. 2025
Regardless, its existence was a political statement and a sign of wealth, as large rectangular stone towers were generally limited to rival Anglo-Norman lords and rulers.
—Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 30 Sep. 2025
The series centers on the escalating conflict between two powerful medieval rulers whose personal and political ambitions collide in a struggle that would determine England’s future.
—Jenzia Burgos, StyleCaster, 28 Sep. 2025
Malta’s food, drink, art, and architecture have been influenced by centuries of foreign rulers, among them Phoenicians, Romans, Greeks, Arabs, Normans, Sicilians, French, and British.
—Chloe Arrojado, AFAR Media, 26 Sep. 2025
These vast resources of corvée labor and raw materials also enabled powerful rulers to secure their place in the afterlife.
—Vanessa Taylor, Big Think, 25 Sep. 2025
For centuries, rulers sought to stamp out cultural difference, Franco banning Basque from being spoken, sung, or taught.
—Callum McLennan, Variety, 22 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rulers
Noun
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Under sponsorship by monarchs Ferdinand and Isabella of Spain, the Nina, the Pinta and the Santa Maria began a new era of vast exploration of the world.—
The Editorial Board,
Oc Register,
13 Oct. 2025
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Remarkably, 12 European countries are still ruled by monarchs—nearly one-third the world’s total—many of them small nations like Denmark and Monaco.—
Vivienne Walt,
Time,
3 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Daft Punk were the kings of that.—
Alma Rota,
Rolling Stone,
14 Oct. 2025
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Photos of him with tribal kings at formal ceremonies in Africa.—
Melinda Newman,
Billboard,
14 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Wall Street, institutions and even sovereigns are migrating infrastructure onto the blockchain and ETH is well positioned to capture value through various channels.—
Todd Gordon,
CNBC,
7 Oct. 2025
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Credit rating agencies are sharpening their focus on climate vulnerability, raising questions about whether sectors or sovereigns with large protection gaps could face higher borrowing costs.—
Felicia Jackson,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Noun
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As a consequence, manuscripts from the Cotton collection have shelf marks such as Julius D X or Tiberius D III, and lists of such manuscripts are not arranged alphabetically but follow the sequence of Roman emperors.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 Oct. 2025
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Known as the Passage of Commodus, the 180-foot corridor was built beneath the amphitheater to let emperors and VIP guests reach their seats in the imperial box without mingling with the crowds.—
Barbie Latza Nadeau,
CNN Money,
10 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rulers.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rulers. Accessed 19 Oct. 2025.
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